Heresy, in the religious sense, implies beliefs or interpretations that deviate from the established doctrines, particularly those of the Christian faith. It is regarded as a severe sin due to the threat it poses to religious unity, spiritual purity, and the salvation of souls. The Bible, being the definitive spiritual guide for Christians, includes numerous verses addressing heresy, cautioning believers to stay vigilant against false teachings and encouraging the pursuit of sound doctrine.
What Does the Bible Say About Heresy?
The Bible addresses heresy indirectly and includes numerous verses aimed at dissuading believers from deviating from the teachings of Christ and his apostles. The New Testament, especially, is rife with warnings against propagators of heretical ideas, often described as ‘false prophets’ or ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing.’ These individuals are portrayed as trying to distort or undermine the gospel’s ‘true teachings’ for their own gain. The Bible encourages believers to maintain sound doctrine based on love, faith, and a good conscience, while it warns of the dangers and spiritual consequences of subscribing to heretical ideologies.
Why Is Heresy Condemned In The Bible?
The condemnation of heresy in the Bible is rooted in its potential to create divisions among believers and corrupt the clear, unadulterated teachings of the gospel. It is seen as a fundamental deviation from the truth and a path that could potentially lead a person away from salvation. Heresy can sow seeds of confusion, discord, and doubt among the faithful, undermining the unity and love that are central to Christian belief.
Who Alerts Believers About Heresy?
Different Bible figures alert believers about the dangers of heresy and the importance of staying alert to the deceit of false prophets. The apostles, particularly Paul, Peter, and John, are seen fervently casting warnings against heretics in the New Testament. They emphasize that believers adopt a discerning approach toward teachings and remain committed to the true doctrine of Christ’s teachings. Ultimately, the Bible teaches that all followers of the Christian faith possess the responsibility of staying vigilant against heresy and safeguarding the integrity of their faith.
When Should Believers Be Cautious of Heresy?
The Bible implies that believers should always be cautious of heresy. It emphasizes that they should be vigilant and discerning, maintaining a firm grasp on the word of God to prevent themselves from being swayed by false teachers. They need to be steadfast in their faith at all times, not merely when subjected to overt threats. It is crucial to understand that heresy could manifest subtly, dressed up as truth, and could lead to catastrophic spiritual consequences if not identified and rejected promptly.
Where Does the Bible Encourage Seeking Truth?
The Bible encourages believers to seek the truth in the teachings of Christ and his apostles. It promotes the idea that individuals should practice a discerning approach toward teachings they encounter, testing those teachings against the gospel. Believers are encouraged to use scripture as the final arbiter of truth, rooting their faith in Christ’s teachings and kept safe from the potential harm of heretical doctrine. The Bible, at its core, is a guide to truth- it advocates the pursuit of spiritual maturity and encourages individuals to remain steadfast in their faith, warding off any heretical influences.
Below is our full list of bible verses on heresy (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Heresy
2 Peter 2:1-22
“1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
Related Themes: Social Justice Manipulation Greed Deception
Titus 3:10
“10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
Related Themes: Gossip Negativity Excommunication Fighting Discipline
2 Peter 2:1
“1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
Related Themes: Social Justice Manipulation Greed Deception
1 John 4:1
“1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
Related Themes: Discernment Confusion Lying Judging Others Magic
2 Corinthians 11:4
“4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
Related Themes: Discernment Social Justice
2 John 1:10
“10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
Related Themes: Tolerance Fidelity Acceptance Excommunication Shunning
Galatians 1:7
“7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”
2 John 1:11
“11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Acts 15:24
“24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
2 Peter 2:15
“15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”
Related Themes: Lying Corruption
Galatians 2:4
“4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”
Related Themes: Freedom Manipulation
Galatians 1:8-9
“8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Related Themes: Apostasy Excommunication Hate Change
Deuteronomy 13:9
“9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.”
Acts 5:17
“17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,”
Hebrews 4:12
“12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Related Themes: Discernment Greatness Omnipresence Heart Complaining
Acts 28:22
“22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.”
Acts 15:5
“5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
Related Themes: Circumcision
Acts 26:5
“5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.”
1 Samuel 15:23
“23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Related Themes: Rebellion Fortune Manipulation Idolatry Disobedience
